Inflatable cover and control system

ABSTRACT

An inflatable cover assembly includes a tarp body having an integral bladder with an air chamber. A tube is coupled to the bladder. An air pump is coupled to the tube. The air pump inflates and deflates the bladder via air pumped through the tube. A water sensor is coupled to the tarp body. The water sensor detects the presence of water on the tarp body and generates an electrical signal indicating the presence of water on the tarp body. A controller is in communication with the water sensor and the air pump. In response to receiving the electrical signal from the water sensor, the controller causes the air pump to inflate the bladder.

I. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to covers for objects and in particular to a control system for use with an inflatable cover.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Outdoor equipment is frequently protected during periods of storage and non-use. For example, during the off season, such as winter, when boats are not in use, they are frequently covered with a type of cover. During the winter months of the year, when swimming pools are not in use, they are frequently covered with a cover to prevent leaves and dirt from entering the standing water in the pool. The cover keeps debris out of the pool.

Current boat and swimming pool covers are typically a flexible plastic or vinyl sheet placed over the boat or swimming pool. Because the cover is flexible and spans across a large area, any water that falls on the upper surface of the cover, tends to depress the cover downwardly trapping the water in a recess. Over time, a large amount of standing water can build up on the top of the cover. This standing water collects leaves and allows algae to grow and frequently results in permanent staining of the cover.

When it is time to remove the cover, the accumulated water and debris trapped in the recess are difficult, messy and time consuming to remove prior to taking the cover off. Often an additional pump is required to remove the accumulated standing water off the cover. In some cases, the weight of the accumulated water on the cover causes the cover to rip and tear resulting in a ruined cover.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Example embodiments provide an inflatable cover that can automatically inflated when water is detected on the surface of the cover. The inflation of the cover is terminated by an inflation sensor such that the inflatable cover is not overly inflated.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an inflatable cover assembly includes a tarp body having an integral bladder with an air chamber. A tube is coupled to the bladder. An air pump is coupled to the tube. The air pump inflates and deflates the bladder via air pumped through the tube. A water sensor is coupled to the tarp body. The water sensor detects the presence of water on the tarp body and generates an electrical signal indicating the presence of water on the tarp body. A controller is in communication with the water sensor and the air pump. In response to receiving the electrical signal from the water sensor, the controller causes the air pump to inflate the bladder.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an inflatable cover assembly, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of an inflatable cover assembly, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the inflatable cover assembly mounted over a swimming pool with the bladder in a deflated state, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the inflatable cover assembly mounted over a swimming pool with the bladder in an inflated state, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the inflatable cover assembly, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagrammatic view of the control system for controlling and operating the inflatable cover assembly, according to example embodiments.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments as represented in the attached figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention.

The features, structures, or characteristics of the invention described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “example embodiments”, “some embodiments”, or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “example embodiments”, “in some embodiments”, “in other embodiments”, or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an inflatable cover assembly 10, according to example embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, inflatable cover assembly 10 comprises a central tarpaulin or tarp body 12. Central tarp body 12 is a flexible sheet that is generally planar. While the tarp body 12 is shown as round in shape, in other embodiments, tarp body 12 can be square, rectangular or other suitable shapes that are sized and shaped to cover the object desired to be covered. Tarp body 12 has an upper side or surface 14, a central region 15, a lower side or surface 16 and an outer circumferential or peripheral edge 18. Tarp body 12 can be formed from suitable materials such as polypropylene, nylon, plastics, vinyl, rubber or other sheet materials that are coated with a waterproof coating.

Several tie-down panels 20 are attached around outer circumferential edge 18. Tie-down panels 20 extend away from outer circumferential edge 18. Each tie-down panel has an attached grommet 22 that includes a central aperture 24. During attachment of the cover to an object, a rope or bungee cord can be connected through apertures 24 in order to retain the inflatable cover assembly 10 to the object desired to be covered.

With additional reference to FIG. 3, inflatable cover assembly 10, further includes a flexible inflatable bladder 30. Bladder 30 is generally disc shaped and includes an upper panel 32 with an outer surface 33 and a lower panel 34 with an outer surface 35. An air chamber 36 is defined within bladder 30 between upper panel 32 and lower panel 34. Inflatable bladder 30 is capable of being inflated and deflated by a fluid such as air. Inflatable bladder 30 is formed from a flexible material that is impervious to gases such as rubber or vinyl.

In one embodiment, inflatable bladder 30 is attached to the bottom surface 16 of tarp body 12 along a circular seam 38. Bladder 30 can be attached to bottom surface 16 by means of a connecting device or material 40 such as fasteners, adhesives or by an ultrasonic weld.

A linear air hose or air tube 42 has ends 44 and 46. In another embodiment, inflatable bladder 30 is not attached to the bottom surface 16 of tarp body 12 and is a separate independent unit that is placed under tarp body 12. Air tube end 44 is connected to the bladder 30 and provides a fluid communication path for air flow between air tube 42 and bladder 30 when inflating or deflating bladder 30. Air tube end 46 is connected to an air pump 50. Air pump 50 operates to supply and remove pressurized air from air chamber 36 such that bladder 30 can be inflated and deflated by the operation of air pump 50.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, inflatable cover assembly 10 is shown in a deflated state mounted to and covering a swimming pool 60. Swimming pool 60 has sides 62 and an interior space that is filled with water 64. The water 64 has a surface 66 upon which the bladder 30 can float or rest. Tarp body 12 is placed over swimming pool 60 with bottom surface 16 facing water surface 66 and bladder bottom surface 35 resting on water surface 66. Tie-down panels 20 are attached to mounting points 68 affixed to swimming pool sides 62 by a connector means 70 such as rope or bungee cords. The tension in tarp body 12 can be adjusted by the adjustment of connector means 70.

Turning to FIG. 4, inflatable cover assembly 10 is shown in an inflated state mounted to and covering swimming pool 60. In FIG. 4, air pump 50 has inflated bladder 30 with air such that center region 15 is raised to an elevation that is higher than the sides 62 of swimming pool 60. Any water that has accumulated in the center region 15 will flow over sides 62 and off of tarp body 12. Significantly, because the tarp body 12 is prevented from accumulating water thereatop, the inflatable cover assembly 10 provides a safety device which aids in the prevention of unintentional drownings for children, as well as pets.

Referring to FIG. 5, another embodiment of an inflatable cover assembly 100 is shown. Inflatable cover assembly 100 has an integrally formed bladder 130. Inflatable cover assembly 100 has a central tarpaulin or tarp body 102. Central tarp body 102 is a flexible sheet. Tarp body 102 has an upper side or surface 104, a central region 105, a lower side or surface 106 and an outer circumferential or peripheral edge 108. Tarp body 102 can be formed from suitable materials such as polypropylene, nylon, plastics, vinyl, rubber or other sheet materials that are coated with a waterproof coating.

A flexible integral inflatable bladder 130 is formed by a single sheet or panel 132 of material that is attached to the bottom surface 106 of tarp body 102. Bladder 130 is generally disc shaped. An air chamber 136 is defined within bladder 130 between the bottom surface 106 of tarp body 102 and panel 132. Air tube end 44 is connected to the bladder panel 132 and provides a fluid communication path for air flow between air tube 42 and bladder 130 when inflating or deflating bladder 130. Inflatable bladder 130 is capable of being inflated and deflated by a fluid such as air supplied by air pump 50. The material forming inflatable bladder 30 (tarp body 12 and panel 132) are formed by from a flexible material that is impervious to gases such as rubber or vinyl.

FIG. 6 illustrates components of a control system 200 for controlling and operating the inflatable cover assembly 10. With reference to FIG. 6, control system 200 includes a controller 210 that can control the operation of control system 200. Controller 210 can be any suitable micro-controller, or micro-processor that can be selectively programmed using firmware and/or software to perform the various functions described within the present disclosure.

Controller 210 is in communication with a power source 215 via an electrical cable 212. Power source 215 can supply power to controller 210 and to other component of control system 200. Controller 210 is in communication with a control panel 220 via an electrical cable 217. Control panel 220 can include user input and output devices such as a keypad or display that allows a user to control the operation of control system 200. In one embodiment, controller 210 is mounted within control panel 220.

Controller 210 is in communication with a display 225 via an electrical cable 222. Display 222 can be a video display screen that shows the user information regarding the operation of control system 200. Controller 210 is further in communication with a transceiver 230 via an electrical cable 232. Transceiver 230 is a radio that can send and receive wireless signals 235. In one embodiment, transceiver 230 is in communication with a remote device 240 via wireless signals 235. In one embodiment, transceiver 230 is in a mobile communication device that can connect to a wireless network and remote device 240 is a mobile phone. In an embodiment, transceiver 230 can send an e-mail or text alert to remote device 240 that bladder 30 has been inflated or deflated.

Controller 210 is also in communication with an air pump 50 via an electrical cable 242. Controller 210 can trigger air pump 50 to turn on or off. Controller 210 can further control the direction of rotation of air pump 50. Controller 210 can cause air pump 50 to rotate in a direction that inflates bladder 30 or can cause air pump 50 to rotate in a reverse direction that deflates bladder 30.

Controller 210 is in communication with a water sensor 250 via an electrical cable 252. In other embodiments, water sensor 250 can be communicatively coupled to controller 210 by wireless means. Water sensor 250 is a commercially available device that generates a water detected electrical signal when water sensor 250 senses the presence of water. Water sensor 250 can transmit the water detected electrical signal to controller 210. Water sensor 250 can be mounted to the upper surface 14 of tarp body 12 (FIG. 3).

Controller 210 is additionally in communication with an inflation or pressure sensor 260 via an electrical cable 262. In other embodiments, inflation sensor 260 can be communicatively coupled to controller 210 by wireless means. Inflation sensor 260 is a commercially available device that generates an inflated electrical signal after bladder 30 has been inflated. Inflation sensor 260 can transmit the inflated bladder electrical signal to controller 210. In one embodiment, inflation sensor 260 is a pressure sensor and inflation sensor 260 supplies controller 210 with a continuous reading of the pressure within bladder 30. Inflation sensor 260 can be mounted in the interior of bladder 30 (FIG. 3).

Referring to FIG. 3, inflatable cover assembly is shown in a deflated state. When water sensor 250 detects the presence of water, such as rain, on the upper surface 14 of tarp body 12, water sensor 250 generates the water detected electrical signal indicating the presence of water on the tarp body and transmits the water detected electrical signal to controller 210. Controller 210 receives the water detected electrical signal and in response to receiving the water detected electrical signal from the water sensor 250, controller 210 causes the air pump 50 to turn on causing bladder 30 to inflate.

Turning to FIG. 4, inflatable cover assembly is shown in an inflated state where bladder 30 is filled with air. In the inflated state, any water that has accumulated in center region 15 will flow off of tarp body 12. After a period of operation of air pump 50, the air pressure within bladder 50 will increase to a desired or pre-determined level. Inflation sensor 260 can sense the pressure level within bladder 30 and transmit the inflated bladder electrical signal to controller 210. Controller 210 receives the inflated bladder electrical signal and in response to receiving the inflated bladder electrical signal from the inflation sensor 260, controller 210 causes the air pump 50 to turn off. Controller 210 thereby inflates bladder 30 to the desired level and prevents over inflation of bladder 30.

As previously disclosed, the tarp body 12 is prevented from accumulating water thereatop, particularly about the upper side of center region 15 thereof. Thus, the inflatable cover assembly 10 provides a safety device which aids in the prevention of unintentional drownings of children, as well as pets. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CPSC”), drownings are the leading cause of injury death for children between the ages of one to four. The CPSC further reports that an annual average of 390 pool or spa-related drownings for children younger than 15 occurred from 2007 to 2009, and about 75% (293) of the reported fatalities involved children younger than five. The use of the present invention may substantially reduce the number of annual drowning fatalities each year concerning young children, as well as pets.

It is envisioned that the various embodiments, as separately disclosed, are interchangeable in various aspects, so that elements of one embodiment may be incorporated into one or more of the other embodiments, and that specific positioning of individual elements may necessitate other arrangements not specifically disclosed to accommodate performance requirements or spatial considerations.

It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but the claims are limited to the specific embodiments. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.

Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way. It is intended that the application is defined by the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An inflatable cover assembly comprising: a tarp body having a first surface and a second surface; a bladder coupled to the second surface of the tarp body, the bladder having an air chamber; a tube having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the bladder, the tube in fluid communication with the air chamber; an air pump coupled to the second end of the tube, the air pump operable to inflate and deflate the bladder via air pumped through the tube; a water sensor coupled to the tarp body, the water sensor operable to detect the presence of water on the tarp body and generate a first electrical signal indicating the presence of water on the tarp body; and a controller communicatively coupled to the water sensor and the air pump, the controller configured to receive the first signal from the water sensor and in response to receiving the first signal, cause the air pump to inflate the bladder.
 2. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the water sensor is mounted to the first surface of the tarp body.
 3. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising an inflation sensor coupled to the bladder for detecting inflation of the bladder, the inflation sensor adapted to generate a second electrical signal indicating that the bladder has been inflated and to transmit the second electrical signal to the controller.
 4. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising the controller communicatively coupled to the inflation sensor and configured to receive the second signal.
 5. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 4, further comprising a display communicatively coupled to the controller, in response to receiving the second signal, the controller indicating on the display that the bladder has been inflated.
 6. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver communicatively coupled to the controller, in response to receiving the first signal, the controller signaling a remote device that the water sensor has detected the presence of water on the tarp body.
 7. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising a control panel communicatively coupled to the controller.
 8. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising tie down means coupled to a peripheral edge of the tarp body.
 9. An inflatable cover assembly comprising: a tarp body having a first surface, a second surface and a peripheral edge; a bladder disposed adjacent to the second surface of the tarp body, the bladder having an air chamber; a tube having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the bladder, the tube in fluid communication with the air chamber; an air pump coupled to the second end of the tube, the air pump operable to inflate and deflate the bladder via air pumped through the tube; a controller communicatively coupled to the air pump, the controller operable to turn the air pump on an off; and a water sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, the water sensor operable to detect the presence of water on the tarp body and generate a first electrical signal indicating the presence of water on the tarp body and in response to receiving the first signal, the controller turns on the air pump causing the bladder to inflate.
 10. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 9, wherein the water sensor is mounted to the first surface of the tarp body.
 11. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 9, further comprising an inflation sensor coupled to the bladder for detecting inflation of the bladder, the inflation sensor adapted to generate a second electrical signal indicating that the bladder has been inflated and to transmit the second electrical signal to the controller.
 12. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 9, further comprising the controller communicatively coupled to the inflation sensor and configured to receive the second signal.
 13. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 12, further comprising a display communicatively coupled to the controller, in response to receiving the second signal, the controller indicating on the display that the bladder has been inflated.
 14. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 9, further comprising a transceiver communicatively coupled to the controller, in response to receiving the first signal, the controller signaling a remote device that the water sensor has detected the presence of water on the tarp body.
 15. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 9, further comprising a control panel communicatively coupled to the controller.
 16. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 9, further comprising a tie down means coupled to a peripheral edge of the tarp body.
 17. An inflatable cover assembly comprising: a tarp body having a first surface and a second surface; a bladder coupled to the second surface of the tarp body, the bladder having an air chamber; a tube having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the bladder, the tube in fluid communication with the air chamber; an air pump coupled to the second end of the tube, the air pump operable to inflate and deflate the bladder via air pumped through the tube; a water sensor coupled to the tarp body, the water sensor operable to detect the presence of water on the tarp body and generate a first electrical signal indicating the presence of water on the tarp body; an inflation sensor coupled to the bladder for detecting inflation of the bladder, the inflation sensor adapted to generate a second electrical signal indicating that the bladder has been inflated; and a controller communicatively coupled to the water sensor, the air pump and the inflation sensor, the controller configured to receive the first signal from the water sensor and in response to receiving the first signal, turn on the air pump to inflate the bladder, the controller further configured to receive the second signal from the inflation sensor and in response to receiving the second signal, turn off the air pump.
 18. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 17, further comprising a display communicatively coupled to the controller, in response to receiving the second signal, the controller indicating on the display that the bladder has been inflated.
 19. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 17, further comprising a transceiver communicatively coupled to the controller, in response to receiving the first signal, the controller signaling a remote device that the water sensor has detected the presence of water on the tarp body.
 20. The inflatable cover assembly of claim 17, further comprising a control panel communicatively coupled to the controller. 